India government says no to same-sex marriage

The push for same-sex marriage in India has stalled with the government and courts opposing marriage rights and equality to gay and lesbian couples. Activists have told media outlets that the fight for equal rights goes on!

The Indian Ministry of Law commented that while there may be various forms of relationships in society, the legal recognition of marriage is for heterosexual relationships, and the state has a legitimate interest in maintaining this, according to the filing seen by Reuters, which has not been made public.

In a historic verdict in 2018, India's top court decriminalised homosexuality by scrapping a colonial-era ban on gay sex. The current case is being seen as a further important development on LGBT rights in the country.

At least 15 pleas, some by gay couples, have been filed in recent months asking the court to recognise same-sex marriages, setting the stage for this legal face-off with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

"Sad that their concept of 'Indian' is so non-inclusive and static that it does not want to evolve according to wider notions of human rights," filmmaker and equal rights activist Onir wrote on Twitter.

The Indian queer community is prepared for a long-haul battle, activists saying that... "Ultimately, we have full faith in the court. We know that our constitutional values of equality are on our side. We are prepared for what it takes."

FIND WHAT YOU WANT EASILY WITH LGBTIQ.DIRECTORY

LGBTIQ SUPPORT PATHWAYS
LGBTIQ SOCIAL & COMMUNITY GROUPS
LGBTIQ FRIENDLY BUSINESS & SERVICES

NEED HELP OR SOMEONE TO TALK TOO

LGBTIQ DIRECTORY SUPPORT PATHWAYS

24 hours Lifeline 13 11 14
24 hours QLife 1800 184 527
Westlund Counselling Canberra 02 6257 2855
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277